Pay & Benefits
Burning Question: How do you tell a government employee from a contractor?
Can looks alone indicate the difference?
Oversight
Commerce reports $1.6 billion savings for decennial census
Officials attribute savings to good management and aggressive advertising.
Oversight
Lawmaker seeks cap on federal workforce growth
Move could increase outsourcing and federal spending, union leaders and Democratic lawmakers say.
Defense
Gates announces major cuts at Defense
Pentagon will eliminate three organizations plus eliminate contractors, 150 senior executives and 50 flag officers.
Pay & Benefits
Policies on temporary workers come under fire
Unions say temps are being exploited, and deserve full-time benefits and jobs.
Pay & Benefits
Burning Question: Are flip-flops appropriate for work?
Not if you're going to the White House, says the OPM director. But what about at your agency?
Defense
Defense ends performance-based pay for intelligence employees
Workers will not see salary reductions as a result of the change, outgoing Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence James Clapper says.
Oversight
Senate sends 13 nominations back to White House
Nominees, including Medicare chief and Customs and Border Protection commissioner, will have to be sent to the Hill again.
Pay & Benefits
VA health care workers move a step closer to bargaining over pay issues
Senate panel passes a measure that would expand employees’ negotiating rights to include compensation policies.
Pay & Benefits
Checks and Balances
Controversy is simmering over distribution of life insurance benefits via "checkbooks."
Oversight
GAO rejects union’s privatization protest
Decision clears way for a contractor to assume control of food service at six Air Force bases.
Oversight
USPS posts $3.5 billion third quarter loss
Workforce cuts and push for fewer delivery days will continue, officials say.
Oversight
Mistaken disability payments might have allowed feds to double-dip
Watchdog finds 1,500 employees likely received improper benefits on top of a salary; SSA chief says report is inflammatory.
Pay & Benefits
Freeze on bonuses could have trickledown effect
Senior executives group worries political appointees could get stingier with awards to career employees.
Pay & Benefits
Obama orders freeze on appointee bonuses
President also backs appointee salary freeze next year.
Oversight
Union praises workforce provisions in appropriations bill
Measures seek to ensure federal employees perform jobs closely associated with inherently governmental functions.
Oversight
Lawmaker proposes alternative mail delivery schedule
Postal Service says legislation does not go far enough to save money.
Oversight
Postal Service announces hiring freeze
Agency will halt hiring and promotions for foreseeable future, official says.
Oversight